Golf training device and method

ABSTRACT

A golf club training device and method utilizes a substantially rigid, sleeve-type member that is positioned over a forefinger of a lower hand of a golfer. The sleeve-type member is positioned over a central portion of the forefinger, extends above and below the forefinger, and is open at both ends. The member restricts bending of the forefinger, so as to maintain an upper anterior portion of the forefinger away from a golf club handle during swinging. In one embodiment, the member is open along a portion of the posterior length thereof. In one embodiment, a thumb pad may also be provided, which is adapted to be positioned on the thumb of the lower hand and to be placed substantially squarely on the golf club handle, improving a user&#39;s golf swing.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates generally to golf training devices andmethod and, more particularly, to a device and method for promotingimproved hand positioning during a golf stroke.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Proper shot-making in the sport of golf depends on a variety of factors.One of these is hand positioning on the grip of the golf club. Accordingto one view, a preferred position requires a user to orient the fingersof the lower hand so that the forefinger is slightly extend, with anupper interior portion of the forefinger not in contact with the handle,and with the pad of the thumb of the lower hand more or less squarely incontact with the handle.

It can be difficult to maintain these positions during play. A playermay when swinging the club bring the top of the forefinger into contactwith the handle and/or may shift the pad of the thumb away from squarecontact with the handle. Such shift(s) may cause less than optimumstriking of the ball, with the result being a slicing or hooking of theshot.

The present invention is concerned with provide a golf training deviceand method that promotes proper positioning of the forefinger and/orthumb during the golf swing.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In accordance with an embodiment of the present invention, a golftraining device is provided. The training device, comprises, incombination: a substantially rigid, sleeve-type member configured to besecured over at least a central portion of a forefinger of a user'slower hand; wherein the substantially rigid member is open at each of abottom and a top portion thereof and is adapted to limit the user'sability to bend the forefinger about the central portion.

In accordance with an embodiment of the present invention, a golftraining device is provided. The training device, comprises, incombination: a substantially rigid, sleeve-type member configured to besecured over at least a central portion of a forefinger of a user'slower hand; wherein the substantially rigid member is open at each of abottom and a top portion thereof and is adapted to limit the user'sability to bend the forefinger about the central portion; and a thumbpad, adapted to be positioned over an upper, anterior surface portion ofthe user's thumb.

In accordance with a further embodiment of the present invention, a golftraining method is provided. The method comprises: securing asubstantially rigid, sleeve-type member configured over at least acentral portion of a forefinger of a user's lower hand; wherein thesubstantially rigid member is open at each of a bottom and a top portionthereof and is adapted to limit the user's ability to bend theforefinger about the central portion; grasping a handle of a golf clubin a manner in which an upper portion of the forefinger is not incontact with the handle; and swinging the golf club.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a golfer's hands in position on a golfgrip, showing the forefinger of the bottom hand in a preferredorientation.

FIG. 2 is a front view of the palm side of a golf training deviceconsistent with an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a side view of the device of FIG. 2.

FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view of the device of FIG. 2, taken alongline 4-4.

FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view of the device of FIG. 3, taken alongline 5-5.

FIG. 6 is a side cross-sectional view of the forefinger portion of thedevice of FIG. 2.

FIG. 7 is a side view of a portion of a golf training device consistentwith another embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 7 a is a side view of a golf training device consistent withanother embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 8 is a top cross-sectional view of the device of FIG. 7 a, takenalong line 8-8.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

Referring first to FIGS. 1-6, a golf training device 10 consistent withan embodiment of the present invention is disclosed. In this embodiment,a substantially rigid, sleeve-type member 12 (“member 12”) is providedfor a user's forefinger 15, to be positioned in the interior of aforefinger portion 14 of a golf glove 16. The member 12 is positionedover and extends above and below a knuckle portion of the forefinger,and is open at both ends.

As used herein, the word “anterior” refers to the visible surface of theforefinger 15 when a hand is held in a palm forward orientation as shownin FIG. 2, while the term “posterior” refers to the rear (non-visible)surface of the forefinger 15 in this orientation.

The member 12 has a slight forward bend, as best seen in FIGS. 3 and 6.The member 12 restricts bending of the forefinger about its centralportion. This placement keeps at least the upper anterior portion of theforefinger 15 from contacting the surface of a golf club handle 18, asillustrated in FIG. 1, without placing the forefinger 15 in anabsolutely perpendicular orientation. The member 12 restricts bending ofa user's forefinger 15, in an amount greater than the restrictionprovided by a prior art golf glove. In one embodiment, the member 12 isrigid, so as to prevent a user from bending the forefinger 15 during thestriking of a golf ball (not shown) with golf club 20. The member 12 maybe comprised of rigid rubber, plastic, or other desired material.

As shown in FIGS. 3 and 5-6, the member 12 may be open along a portionof a length of a posterior portion thereof. Because the posteriorportion does not need to be closed to restrict bending of the forefinger15, provision of an opening along the posterior can provide improvedcomfort and breathability, without sacrificing functionality.Alternatively, it may be desired to provide a member 12 that lacks theposterior opening.

FIG. 1 illustrates a golfer's hands in position on a golf club handle18, with the user having a rigid member 12 inside the golf glove 16. Asshown, an upper portion of the user's forefinger 15 extends away fromthe handle 18, with the rigid member 12 preventing the user fromencircling the handle 18 with the forefinger 15.

In one embodiment, a thumb pad 22 may also be provided. The thumb pad 22may comprise cotton or other pliable and relatively comfortable materialand is adapted to cover an upper surface, pad portion of a thumb 24, asshown in FIGS. 2 and 4. An underside of the thumb pad 22 may be adhereddirectly to a user's thumb 24, using an adhesive surface such as thatprovided on a band aid. Alternatively, the thumb pad 22 may bepositioned in an interior portion of the golf glove 16, so that it willbe in the desired location relative to the thumb 24 when the golf glove16 is worn by the user. The thumb pad 22 is intended to promote properpositioning of the thumb 24 in relation to the handle 18, with the thumbpad 22 being placed squarely in contact with the handle 18.

Referring now to FIGS. 7-8, in one embodiment, the rigid member 12 issecured to the interior of the forefinger portion 14 of the golf club16. In one embodiment, the rigid member 12 may be glued or otherwisesecured within a sleeve 17, with the sleeve 17 then being sewn orotherwise secured to the interior of the forefinger portion 14. Inanother embodiment, the rigid member 12 may be directly secured to theforefinger portion 14 by gluing or other means. In another embodiment,the rigid member 12 may be secured to the outside of the forefingerportion 14.

In one embodiment, the rigid member 12 may be provided separate from thegold glove 16. In this embodiment, a user may position the rigid member12 in place, and thereafter position a golf glove 16 thereover.

Although particular embodiments of the invention have been described indetail for purposes of illustration, various modifications may be madewithout departing from the spirit and scope of the invention.Accordingly, the invention is not to be limited, except as by theappended claims.

1. A golf training device comprising, in combination: a substantiallyrigid, sleeve-type member configured to be secured over at least acentral portion of a forefinger of a user's lower hand; wherein thesubstantially rigid member is open at each of a bottom and a top portionthereof and is adapted to limit the user's ability to bend theforefinger about the central portion.
 2. The training device of claim 1wherein the substantially rigid member is open along a portion of aposterior length thereof.
 3. The training device of claim 1 wherein thesubstantially rigid member is secured to an interior portion of a golfglove.
 4. The training device of claim 1 wherein the substantially rigidmember is comprised of rubber.
 5. The training device of claim 1 whereinthe substantially rigid member is comprised of plastic.
 6. The trainingdevice of claim 1 further comprising a golf glove and wherein thesubstantially rigid member is concealed within a forefinger portion ofthe golf glove.
 7. A golf training device comprising, in combination: asubstantially rigid, sleeve-type member configured to be secured over atleast a central portion of a forefinger of a user's lower hand; whereinthe substantially rigid member is open at each of a bottom and a topportion thereof and is adapted to limit the user's ability to bend theforefinger about the central portion; and a thumb pad, adapted to bepositioned over an upper, anterior surface portion of the user's thumb.8. The training device of claim 7 wherein the substantially rigid memberis open along a portion of a posterior length thereof.
 9. The trainingdevice of claim 7 wherein the substantially rigid member is secured toan interior portion of a golf glove.
 10. The training device of claim 7wherein the substantially rigid member is comprised of rubber.
 11. Thetraining device of claim 7 wherein the substantially rigid member iscomprised of plastic.
 12. The training device of claim 7 furthercomprising a golf glove and wherein the substantially rigid member isconcealed within a forefinger portion of the golf glove.
 13. A golftraining method comprising: securing a substantially rigid, sleeve-typemember configured over at least a central portion of a forefinger of auser's lower hand; wherein the substantially rigid member is open ateach of a bottom and a top portion thereof and is adapted to limit theuser's ability to bend the forefinger about the central portion;grasping a handle of a golf club in a manner in which an upper portionof the forefinger is not in contact with the handle; and swinging thegolf club.
 14. The method of claim 13 further comprising positioning athumb pad over an upper, anterior surface portion of the user's thumbprior to swinging the golf club.
 15. The method of claim 13 wherein thesubstantially rigid member is open along a portion of a posterior lengththereof.
 16. The method of claim 13 wherein the substantially rigidmember is secured to an interior portion of a golf glove.
 17. The methodof claim 13 wherein the substantially rigid member is comprised ofrubber.
 18. The method of claim 13 wherein the substantially rigidmember is comprised of plastic.
 19. The method of claim 13 furthercomprising a golf glove and wherein the substantially rigid member isconcealed within a forefinger portion of the golf glove.